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Luyao Li

Luyao Li, Empowerment Conference [luyao [at] mit [dot] edu]. I am a first-year
Ph.D. student in Planetary Sciences (course 12) interested in studying
habitable planets outside the solar system. I'm working on the designing
and testing of a small space telescope, aiming to look for earth-size,
habitable planets around the bright, near-by stars. The prototype of
this telescope is expected to be launched in the year 2012.

I learned about GWAMIT during a lunch meeting in the graduate student
orientation week. The welcoming atmosphere from all its current
members, as well as the many amazing opportunities it provides for the
graduate women community, deeply attracted me and I decided that I would
like to become part of this awesome organization. After knowing more
about GWAMIT people and events in the following several board and
executive meetings, I decided to help organize the 2011 Spring
Empowerment Conference. This has been one of the smartest choice I've
made at MIT and I enjoyed the interaction with the organizing committee
immensely over the last few months. The organizing committee was highly
democratic, every member is highly encouraged to bring forth their ideas
to whichever extend they feel comfortable, and new members and ideas
are always welcomed with open arms.

GWAMIT has been offering a full range of events and opportunities for
the personal and professional development of graduate women. I also
feel that joining GWAMIT is a terrific opportunity for one's personal
growth, as well as getting know some of the most active and outstanding
women at MIT who are shaping the future for women at this community.